Closure



Nov. 16, 1954 E. BOGEAUS ETAL CLOSURE Filed Jan. 2, 1951 #160002 F. E. H/6H8LOCHE2 BENEDICT 6. 80661906 4 INVENTORS' 0w &

nrraeflsfls' United States Patent CLOSURE Benedict E. Bogeaus, Los Angeles, and Theodor F. E. Fuchslocher, Van Nuys, Califi, assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to James G. Moran, Burbank, Calif.

Application January 2, 1951, Serial No. 204,008

6 Claims. (Cl. 222-491) This invention relates to dispensing closures for collapsible containers or tubes of the type used for tooth paste, shaving cream, salves and other semi-fluid or plastic materials, and is particularly directed to improvements over the devices described in the co-pending application of Theodor F. E. Fuchslocher, Serial No. 165,559, filed June 1, 1950, now Patent No. 2,605,939.

A primary object of our invention is to provide a simple, yet extremely effective tube closure .of the type having a valve adapted to open when squeezing pressure is applied to the tube and to close when the squeezing pressure is relieved.

Closures of the type disclosed in the aforementioned application are held in closed position by means of a small wire spring. Under normal conditions a satisfactory seal is thus maintained, but when subjected to unusually great ambient temperature changes or to rough handling in shipping and other transportation, slight leakage of the tube contents may occur through partial opening of the closure valve. Accordingly, an important object of our invention is to provide locking means to positively maintain the closure valve in closed position.

Another object of our invention is to provide a closure of the type described above having an improved spring-operated valve member, one which is easy to assemble and which is more positive in operation.

A further object of our invention is to provide a closure for collapsible tubes, which closure has a minimum of parts adapted to be inexpensively manufactured on a quantity basis.

Other objects and advantages of our invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible tube having a closure member incorporating our invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of a preferred embodiment of our invention, illustrating the valve member in closed, unlocked position.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional elevation similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the valve member in the open position.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation similar to Figure 4, but illustrating the valve member in closed, locked position.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the closure member with the valve member removed for clarity of illustration.

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of the valve member, taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, a conventional collapsible tube 10 of the type used for tooth paste, shaving cream and other semi-fluid or plastic materials is provided with an outlet member or neck 11 having external threads 12. Threadedly engaged with the neck 11 is the closure embodying our invention which includes a cap member 13 provided with a central opening 14 in communication with the neck 11. The upper end surface 15 of the cap member provides an 2,694,511 Patented Nov. 16, 1954 annular seat for the reception of a dish-shaped valve member 16. The surface 15 may be provided with an annular groove 17 in which is engaged an annular tongue or flange 18 integral with the valve member, thel groove and flange cooperating to provide a tight sea Means are provided to normally maintain the valve member 16 in seated or closed position, and as shown in the drawings, these means may include a spring member 19 which comprises a relatively stiff spring wire member disposed transversely of the axis of the cap member 13, one portion of the spring member being secured to the valve member 16 and the other end being secured to the cap member to permit relative motion therebetween.

As shown best in Figure 4, the spring member 19 is generally U-shaped, each of the legs 20 and 21 being curved rearwardly and rigidly secured to depending boss members 22 and 23. The boss members are preferably molded integral with the valve member 16 and at the same time the end portions of the spring 19 may be molded into the boss members to provide a solid connection. An inwardly directed ledge 24 is provided in the opening 14 and integral with the cap member 13, the ledge having an undercut hook portion 25 (see Figure 2) for the reception of the base portion 26 of the spring member 19. The hook portion 25 has a groove 25 curved concentrically with the base portion 26 of the spring, thus permitting only relative angular movement, but preventing disassembly.

When squeezing pressure is applied to the collapsible tube 10, the paste-like contents (not shown) are forced upwardly through the central opening 14 and against the valve member 16, opening the valve against the action of the spring 19. As shown in Figure 3, the valve member pivots about its edge to open and permit a narrow ribbon of plastic material to flow from the tube 10 in the direction of the arrows. It will be understood that suflicient clearance between the annular flange 18 and groove 17 is provided to permit this pivotal movement of the valve member 16. When the squeezing pressure is released, the spring member 19 closes the valve 16, cuttingoff the ribbon of plastic material.

Means are provided to lock the valve member in closed position, and as shown in the drawing, this may include an inwardly projecting, curved lug 27 on the upper portion of the cap member 13 and diametrically opposed from the ledge 24. The boss member 22 is undercut to provide a radially extending latch member 28 which cooperates with the lug 27 to lock the valve member in the closed position. Locking is effected by turning the valve member 16 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 wherein the latch 28 engages under the curved lug 27 to prevent upward pivotal motion of the valve member 16. The lug 27 may be slightly inclined or tapered as shown in Figure 6 so that the latch 28 may be firmly wedged thereagainst. The valve member 16 is knurled or serrated as at 30 to facilitate the turning thereof. A curved extension 31 of the ledge 24 acts as a stop and cooperates with the end 32 of the boss 22 to align the valve member in unlocked position upon turning of the valve member in the direction to unlock the same.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a closure for collapsible tubes having an outlet member, a cap member having an opening, said cap member adapted to be secured to said outlet member, means providing a seat surrounding said opening, a valve member arranged to flatly contact said seat and close said opening, said valve member being so related to said cap member as to be free to move bodily outwardly from the opening and also free to assume positions in which the plane of the valve member is inclined to the plane of the opening, resilient means disposed within said cap member and coupling said cap member and valve member tending to maintain said valve member in closed position, said resilient means being responsive to pressure to pivotally lift said valve member with respect to said seat, and means for locking said valve member in closed position.

2. In a closure for collapsible tubes having an outlet member, a cap member adapted to be attached to said outlet member, said cap member having a longitudinal opening communicating with said tube through said outlet member, an annular seat surrounding said opening, said seat having an annular groove therein, a valve member having an annular flange seated in said annular groove, a pair of boss members on said valve member and extending into said opening, and a generally U-shaped spring member having a curved base portion secured to said cap member and having a pair of legs extending from said base portion transversely of said cap member into said opening, an outer end of each of said legs being secured to each of said boss members whereby said valve member is normally maintained in engagement with said seat, said spring being responsive to pressure against said valve member to pivotally lift said valve member from the seat.

3. In a closure for collapsible tubes having an outlet member, a cap member adapted to be attached to said outlet member, said cap member having a longitudinal opening communicating with said tube through said outlet member, an annular seat surrounding said opening, a dish-shaped valve member engaged with said seat, a generally U-shaped spring member having a curved base portion secured to said cap member and having a pair of legs extending from said base portion transversely of said cap member into said opening, the outer ends of said legs being secured to said valve member whereby said valve member is normally maintained in engagement with said seat, said spring being responsive to pressure against said valve member to pivotally lift said valve member, and means for locking said valve member in closed position.

4. In a closure for collapsible tubes having an outlet member, a cap member adapted to be attached to said outlet member, said cap member having a longitudinal opening communicating with said tube through said outlet member, an annular seat surrounding said opening, said seat having an annular groove therein, a valve member having an annular flange seated in said annular groove, a pair of boss members on said valve member and extending into said opening, a generally U-shaped spring member having a curved base portion secured to said cap member and having a pair of legs extending from said base portion transversely of said cap member into said opening, an outer end of each of said legs being secured to each of said boss members whereby said valve member is normally maintained in engagement with said seat, said spring being responsive to pressure against said valve member to pivotally lift said valve member from the seat, and means for locking said valve member in closed position.

5. In a closure for collapsible tubes having an outlet member, a cap member adapted to be attached to said outlet member, said cap member having a longitudinal opening communicating with said tube through said outlet member, an annular seat surrounding said opening, said seat having an annular groove therein, a valve member having an annular flange seated in said annular groove, a pair of boss members on said valve member and extending into said opening, a generally U-shaped spring member having a curved base portion secured to said cap member and having a pair of legs extending from said base portion transversely of said cap member into said opening, an outer end of each of said legs being secured to each of said boss members whereby said valve member is normally maintained in engagement with said seat, said spring being responsive to pressure against said valve member to pivotally lift said valve member from the seat, and means for locking said valve member in closed position, said means including a lug projecting inwardly from said cap member and a latch on one of said boss members, the latch being adapted to engage under said lug when the valve member is turned axially with respect to said cap member.

6. In a closure for collapsible tubes having an externally threaded outlet member, a cap member threadedly engaged with said outlet member, said cap member having a longitudinal opening communicating with said tube through the outlet member, an annular seat surrounding said opening, a valve member having an annular portion engaged on said seat, a pair of boss members on said valve member and extending into said opening, a ledge extending transversely from said cap member into said opening, said ledge having an undercut portion providing a hook member with a groove curved concentrically of said cap member, a generally U-shaped spring member having a base portion curved to conform to said curved groove and engaged therein for relative turning movement, said spring member having a pair of legs extending from said base portion transversely of said cap member into said opening, an outer end of each of said legs being secured to each of said boss members whereby said valve member is normally maintained in engagement with said seat, said spring being responsive to pressure to pivotally lift said valve member from the seat, and means for locking said valve member in closed position, said means including a concentrically curved lug projecting inwardly from said cap member and a latch on one of said boss members, the latch being adapted to engage under said lug when the valve member is turned axially with respect to said cap member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,753,239 Fox Apr. 8, 1930 1,901,823 Robinson Mar. 14, 1933 1,912,022 Thompson May 30, 1933 1,951,510 Goldberger Mar. 20, 1934 1,997,116 Nielsen Apr. 9, 1935 2,032,883 Mills Mar. 3, 1936 2,040,638 Beck May 12, 1936 2,493,814 Groody Jan. 10, 1950 

